Select your current stage and we will show you what comes next.
How the System Works
Ontario uses a graduated licensing system that lets new drivers build experience over time. You start with a G1 learner's permit, move to a G2 licence after your first road test, and earn your full G licence after the second road test. The entire process takes a minimum of 20 months (or 24 months without an approved driver education course). You have a maximum of 5 years to complete it, or you start over.
G1
Learner's Permit
Pass a vision test
Pass a written knowledge test
Must drive with a fully licensed companion
No highway driving
No driving midnight to 5 AM
Zero alcohol
G2
Intermediate Licence
Pass the G1 road test
Drive independently on all roads
Drive at any time of day
Zero alcohol
Passenger limits if under 20 (first 6 months)
Full G
Full Licence
Pass the G2 road test (highway)
No driving restrictions
Standard BAC limit (0.08)
Valid for 5 years, then renew
Zero BAC if under 22
Step 1: Get Your G1 Licence
You cannot apply online. Visit any DriveTest centre in person.
Requirements:
Be at least 16 years old
Bring two pieces of acceptable original ID
Pass a vision test (done at the centre)
Pass a 40-question multiple choice knowledge test
Pay the licensing fee
Study the Official MTO Driver's Handbook before your test. It covers all the rules of the road and traffic signs you will be tested on. You can buy it online, at DriveTest centres, or at some retail stores for about $15.
With a G1, you are a beginner driver. These restrictions exist to keep you safe while you build experience:
You must always have a fully licensed driver (4+ years experience) in the front passenger seat
No driving on 400-series highways or high-speed expressways (QEW, Gardiner, DVP) unless accompanied by a licensed driving instructor
No driving between midnight and 5 AM
Zero blood alcohol level at all times
The accompanying driver must be the only other person in the front seat
Every passenger must wear a seatbelt
The accompanying driver's BAC must be under 0.05 (zero if under 22)
Step 2: Get Your G2 Licence
When you can take it:
After 12 months with your G1 licence
After 8 months if you completed a government-approved driver education course
What the test covers:
The G1 road test checks your basic driving skills on residential and commercial streets. You will be tested on left and right turns, stops at intersections, lane changes, three-point turns, parallel parking, and general road awareness. No highway driving is included in this test.
To book the test, you need:
Your Ontario driver's licence number and expiry date
A vehicle in good working condition with valid insurance and plates
Taking a government-approved beginner driver education (BDE) course is not required, but it lets you take the road test 4 months sooner and may lower your insurance premiums. Find approved driving schools.
With a G2, you can drive independently on all Ontario roads at any time. The major restrictions that remain:
Zero blood alcohol level at all times
If you are 19 or under: only 1 passenger aged 19 or under between midnight and 5 AM (first 6 months)
After 6 months with G2 (if 19 or under): up to 3 passengers aged 19 or under between midnight and 5 AM
Drive on all roads including 400-series highways
Drive at any time of day or night
No accompanying driver required
Step 3: Get Your Full G Licence
When you can take it:
After 12 months with your G2 licence
What the test covers:
The G2 road test (also called the G road test or "exit test") is more advanced than the first. It includes highway driving, where the examiner will test your ability to merge onto and exit from a highway, change lanes at speed, and maintain proper following distance at highway speeds. It also includes all the skills from the first road test.
Once you pass, you receive your full Class G licence. Most driving restrictions are lifted. Your licence is valid for 5 years, after which you renew it through the standard renewal process.
If you are 21 and under, the zero blood alcohol rule still applies even with a full G licence. This restriction lifts when you turn 22.
G1 road test (to get G2)Booking fee at DriveTest~$53
G2 road test (to get full G)Booking fee at DriveTest~$91
Driver's HandbookAvailable at DriveTest, online, or at retail stores~$15
Beginner driver education (optional)Government-approved driving school course$400-$1,200
Fees are approximate and may vary. Check drivetest.ca for current prices.
Timeline Overview
G1 to G2 (with driver education)Government-approved BDE course completed8 months
G1 to G2 (without driver education)Standard waiting period12 months
G2 to full GMinimum practice period12 months
Total minimum (with BDE course)20 months
Total minimum (without BDE course)24 months
Maximum to complete everythingAfter this, you start over from the beginning5 years
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I take the G1 knowledge test online? +
No. You must take the knowledge test in person at a DriveTest centre. You cannot apply for a G1 online.
What happens if I fail a road test? +
You can rebook and try again. There is a mandatory 10-day waiting period before you can retake a failed road test. You will need to pay the road test fee again.
My G2 is about to expire and I have not taken the G test yet. What do I do? +
You can retake the G1 road test to get another 5 years as a G2 driver. This gives you more time to complete the full G road test. Contact a DriveTest centre to book.
I have a licence from another country. Do I have to start from G1? +
It depends on where you are from and how long you have been driving. Some countries have exchange agreements with Ontario that allow you to skip parts of the graduated system. Check the DriveTest licence exchange page for details.
Can I drive outside Ontario with a G1 or G2? +
A G1 licence is typically not valid outside Ontario. A G2 licence is generally accepted in other Canadian provinces and in most US states, but check the rules of the jurisdiction you are visiting. For international travel, you should have a full G licence.
Do I need my own car for the road test? +
Yes. You must bring a vehicle to the road test. It needs to be in safe working condition, properly insured, and have valid licence plates. Many driving schools offer a vehicle for the test as part of their package.
